BUFFALO, N.Y. – Ten budding entrepreneurs in the life
sciences and high-tech fields will evaluate their ideas in a
risk-free environment at a Pre-Seed Workshop hosted by the
University at Buffalo’s New York State Center of Excellence
in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences.

Over the course of the workshop, participants will have their
ideas vetted and enhanced by teams of business, legal and financial
experts, giving them the skills and tools needed to move viable
projects forward on the path to commercialization. The workshop
culminates with each team pitching its idea to a panel of investors
for feedback and evaluation.

Ideas being examined during the program include: a new method of
growing microalgae for application in the biofuel market; a system
to evaluate clinicians performing robotic surgery; a protein-lipid
complex found in breast milk that may reverse antibiotic
resistance; and a new model for patient rehabilitation services
using next-generation technology.

All activities will take place at UB’s New York State
Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences at 701
Ellicott St., Buffalo, and the adjacent Roswell Park Center for
Genetics and Pharmacology.

Media are encouraged to contact Kerry Jones Waring at
716-380-7319 to coordinate coverage.

June 12, 2013: Opening Dinner

5:30-6:30 p.m.: Remarks by workshop leaders, sponsors
and teams

June 13, 2013: Workshop Day 1

8 a.m.-5 p.m.: Teams will participate in a series of
seven breakout sessions on topics including technology-to-market
mapping, market needs and the revenue potential of the idea, with
the goal of preparing the foundation of a 15-minute presentation to
be given on the final day.

June 20, 2013: Workshop Day 2

1:30-5 p.m.: Presentation of projects to feedback
panel

5-6:30 p.m.: Final remarks, reception and
networking

The first half of the day includes team building and completing
final evaluations of each team's project. In the afternoon, teams
will pitch their ideas to and receive feedback from a panel of
investors.

The Pre-Seed Workshop 2013 is sponsored by UB’s New York
State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences,
National Grid, NYSTAR, Hodgson Russ Attorneys, The Research
Foundation for SUNY, New York State Energy Development and Research
Authority (NYSERDA) and Launch NY.